“The day after a classic, I was dead. He’s playing golf!” Adrie van der Poel on Mathieu’s chances of making Tour of Flanders history, Tadej Pogačar, and remembering his own Ronde win 40 years on

Adrie van der Poel, the 1986 Tour of Flanders champion, recently shared his insights on the road.cc Podcast regarding his son Mathieu's prospects at this Sunday's Ronde. The elder Van der Poel reflected on his own victory 40 years ago, humorously contrasting his post-race exhaustion with Mathieu's seemingly effortless recovery, quipping, "The day after a classic, I was dead. He’s playing golf!" This commentary sets the stage for Mathieu's attempt to become the most successful rider in Flanders history.

This familial perspective arrives at a critical juncture, as Mathieu van der Poel stands poised to secure a record-breaking third Tour of Flanders title, a feat that would surpass the current joint record held by six riders, including legends like Boonen and Cancellara. Adrie's recollections not only provide a nostalgic link to the monument's rich past but also underscore the immense physical demands of the race, offering a unique lens through which to view his son's contemporary dominance and the evolution of elite cycling.

Adrie's understated observation about Mathieu's recovery, coupled with his dismissal of records, subtly highlights the generational shift in athletic prowess and perhaps, a touch of paternal pride. One suspects, however, that despite his claims, the prospect of his son making history will be far from forgotten by Sunday afternoon.